DCOs, DPOs to inspect Punjab child employment law enforcement

The provincial government has issued a notification under which DCOs and DPOs will also work as Inspectors to check child labour in their respective districts. The Assistant Commissioners and Sub-Divisional Police Officers will be Inspectors at Tehsil level.

A person who will offer a child or an adolescent for prostitution or pornographic performances or any other illicit activity will be liable for seven-year jail term with Rs one million fine under the law. The ordinance empowers the inspector to seal an establishment for seven days after finding violation of the law.

According to the ordinance, a person who abets such offense including guardians or parents shall equally be liable for the punishment.

However, under the provincial law a minor aging between 15 to 18 years could work not exceeding three hours in a day.

“And if the child is required to work for more than three hours in a day, he should be provided a mandatory interval of at least one hour after the initial period of three hours. The total period of work for an adolescent in a day including the mandatory interval shall in no case exceed seven hours,” the law said.

The working hours of an adolescent should not be in conflict with the timings of the educational or vocational institutions where he is enrolled. Moreover, an off day also be given to the child in a week.